Demolition Ordered Again Nearly A Decade After Initial Action Against The Lucknow Building, Claimed 15 Lives

A day after a devastating fire claimed 15 lives in Lucknow's Aliganj area, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has ordered the demolition of the building where the tragedy occurred.

Officials have directed the property owners to demolish the structure themselves. If they fail to comply, the LDA will carry out the demolition and recover the cost from them.
The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged safety violations, unauthorised construction and the use of the building for commercial activities.

LDA Takes Action After Deadly Fire

Records show that after unauthorised construction was detected, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) issued a demolition order against the building on May 10, 2016.

However, less than two months later, the order was revoked on July 5, 2016, after the owners reportedly argued that they had not been given a proper opportunity to present their case and maintained that the construction was in accordance with the approved building plan. Following the deadly fire, the building has once again come under scrutiny, leading to fresh demolition proceedings.

STORY | Lucknow building gutted in fire got demolition order in 2016, revoked within 2 months

The three-storey commercial building where a tragic fire claimed 15 lives was issued a demolition order in 2016 over unauthorised construction, but the order was revoked less than two… pic.twitter.com/93jGbOxyEi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2026

Fire Turned Building Into A Death Trap

The fire broke out on Monday in a coaching centre operating inside the multi-storey building in Aliganj.

As flames and thick smoke spread rapidly through the structure, several students and staff members became trapped inside.
According to reports, some people jumped from the building in an attempt to save themselves.

Most of the victims were young adults between the ages of 20 and 28. Preliminary findings suggest that many of them died due to suffocation caused by heavy smoke.

The tragedy has sparked widespread concern about safety standards in coaching centres and commercial establishments operating in residential buildings.

Questions Raised Over Building Safety

The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of illegal construction and compliance with fire safety norms.

Authorities are now investigating whether the building had adequate emergency exits, fire-fighting equipment and other mandatory safety measures.
Officials are also examining whether the property was being used in violation of its approved residential status.

The findings of the investigation are expected to play a key role in determining accountability for the tragedy.

CM Yogi Orders SIT Investigation

In response to the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level probe and constituted a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT is headed by Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat and includes Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow Zone) Praveen Kumar.

The team has been tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to the fire and identifying any lapses that may have contributed to the loss of lives.
The SIT has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

FIR Registered, Arrests Made

Police have registered an FIR under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act.

The case has been filed against four named individuals and other persons found responsible during the course of the investigation.

So far, three people - Ramakrishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla and Tushok Krishna Jaiswal - have been arrested in connection with the case.
Further arrests may follow as investigators continue to examine the role of building owners, operators and officials linked to the property.

The Lucknow fire tragedy has triggered public outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and fire safety standards.